Thanks for the advise John. However, I need to use component video cables from my HDTV DVR cable box to TV, to take advantage of HD. I can't see how to do your trick with those kind of cables.

I am trying to work something out with my line conditioner (Belkin PureAV) meanwhile. It has a cable in and out socket (two sockets), and they must server some purpose I'd assume.

Axiom M60s, QS4s, VP100 Onkyo TX-SR804 Oppo 970HD Rotel RB-1080/RCD-1072 REL Q150E sub, PS 3